How to handle BiPAP when one has a cold?

Hello, folks! My husband has been congested and sneezy today, and is concerned as to how this might affect his BiPAP use tonite. He wants to know if anyone has suggestions as to any modifications he should make/use with his mask, if he should wear it or even leave it off for the night - can he cough inside the mask and not worry? We would call the Dr - whom we haven't seen since he referred Hubs for the sleep study - but today is his day off.

Thanks for your advice/help, I'm sorry if we sound like idiots - it's quite a learning curve, but I think we're seeing results after a week...a little at a time!

Thinggtwoo

Things,

Welcome.

It had been about two years but then I just had a bad cold last week with a bad lingering cough. Fighting a cold you need to breathe, sleep, and use oxygen more than ever. So keep using the mask and machine!

I did some pretty big sneezing and some huge coughing for several nights. I used a full face mask (covers nose and mouth) also and at times I sneezed or coughed so hard I thought the mask strap would break. Sometimes at night I would feel a big coughing spell coming on and would take one hand and hold the mask down on my face while I coughed viciously.

The mask can take it!

One thing that helps with a cold is to keep the nasal airway open. Here are some tips I wrote some time back: viewtopic.php?p=160144#160144 . I used all those methods last week.

Good luck,

The first week I had my CPAP machine I got a cold. I used nighttime cold medication, squirted over the counter nasal spray up my nose and turned my humidifier up as high as it would go. It was the easiest cold I have ever slept through.

Thank You, Rooster and Black Spinner - I have conveyed the info to Hubs and he is a bit relieved. Kind of scared of the Neti Pot, but I have one & use it, so I can help him out with that.

Take care!
Thinggtwoo

If he doesn't like the neti-pot, you can purchase a Nasal Rinse kit at drugstores. I found it much easier to use than the pot, as it works more like any nasal inhaler.